Nagaland urges Centre to accord NGO status to community bodies

KOHIMA, April 21 ? Nagaland has urged the Centre to accord grass-root level statutory bodies and community organisations the status of NGOs and suggested evolution of new mechanism to make funding to voluntary sector more transparent and accountable, reports PTI. Speaking at the conference on role of voluntary sector in national development in New Delhi yesterday, Chief Minister S C Jamir advocated for recognition of village councils, village development boards (VDB) and grass-root level health-care and assistance from different Central ministries. After passing the Communitisation of Public Services Bill, the State government has now constituted village committees to manage service sectors such as health care, school education, water supply, etc. ?They should be recognised as NGOs in Nagaland context as these organisations will be the most effective bodies to undertake voluntary actions in the villages and this will also be the best way to activate voluntarism among the rural masses?, Jamir asserted. The Chief Minister said that his government was interested in investments from private sector and external agencies.